Manor Hints: Bernard Ross

Bernard Ross’s biography discusses the myth of him being cursed after entering a Pharaoh’s tomb in Egypt. It claims that when under the spirit’s control, he became aggressive and even violent. However, Frances Manx revealed that alcohol, not a curse, was the cause of his behavior. Ross had feelings for Astrid, but she rejected him and threatened to report his drinking to the police, potentially costing him his professorship. This gives Bernard a strong motive to silence Astrid. 

Where was Bernard last seen while Astrid was still alive? 

Clarence III’s statement mentions that he heard a noise from the library, where he found Dr. Bernard Ross, “drunk and angry,” retrieving a wax cylinder. Clarence then overheard Clark and Astrid arguing in the study. When Clark left the study and entered the library, Dr. Ross left the room, and his whereabouts afterward are unknown. 

We don’t know where he went from here, so perhaps a good starting point would be to work out which bedroom Dr. Ross was staying in. 

In a document from the University of Manhattan, Bernard Ross complains about a clock in the parlor below his room waking him up every hour and the morning sun waking him early. Consult the Merivale Manor guide to locate the parlor.

The Merivale Manor guide indicates that Bernard Ross stayed in the East Wing bedroom (Mint Bedroom), located above the parlor. This is significant because Michael Fitch’s report mentions a partial shoeprint leading from the third floor to the East Wing guest bedroom, suggesting someone had stepped in mud on the landing before walking downstairs. Clarence IV, who was covered in mud, left a trail of footprints when he entered the house and ran to the third floor. If Dr. Ross had stepped in mud and walked downstairs, it must have occurred after Clarence reached the third floor. To determine if Bernard is the murderer, figure out the latest possible time the shoeprints could have been left. 

Have you accessed the online webmail? 

Spoiler Alert!!!…. The following hints and answers may reveal an alibi for more than one suspect. Please follow the hints for the other suspects before continuing below 

Listen carefully to the wax cylinder recording. 

Turn your attention to the clues for Margaret before moving on to the answer for Bernard Ross.

The wax recording features five chimes in the background, indicating 5 pm. Astrid fell just after 5 pm, so Bernard has an alibi. After leaving the library, Bernard likely went straight to his room, stepping in the mud trail left by Clarence IV and tracking it downstairs into the East Wing bedroom. He then began recording on the wax cylinder. The police report confirms that no one descended the stairs from the second to the third floor while the officer was present, further verifying that Bernard couldn’t have been the murderer.

If you’ve covered all bases and you’re still stuck, please follow the hint section for “The final hints” to gradually reveal the answer to this case.